Fourth Vector Ch. 16

However, today would be quite the opposite.

"Good morning, sire," said Bazu as he entered his chambers. The women had long since left to grab something to eat, and he remained seated at a makeshift desk awaiting the vizier. Bazu had come a long way from the timid and scared man he'd met when he first took the throne. It wasn't hard to tell he hadn't been respected by his predecessor, even though Jack found the man to be extraordinarily gifted at his job. It really served to endear the vizier to him, and as Jack got to know him more, Bazu started to come out of his shell.

"Good morning, Bazu. I trust you slept well last night?"

Bazu grinned. "Probably not as good as you, sire, but yes, it wasn't too bad."

Jack chuckled. Because of Bazu's regularity in his visits, there had been times when he emerged into his chambers to find Abigail and Kat still sound asleep. The vizier was one of the first to admit the attractiveness of both women, and as he became better acquainted with Jack, he wasn't one to not appreciate Jack's position.

"So what happened since we last talked Bazu? Anything new in the country?"

Bazu grabbed the first scroll and opened it. "It was exceedingly quiet last night, sire. Not that I mind that in one bit, but there's just not a lot going on right now. I do have the former slave report here though."

Jack had instructed him to put together reporting on the former slaves of Andalucia since he'd freed them. Even though Jack had paid them a month's worth of wages upon release, his biggest worry was upsetting the Andalucian economy and them not having enough time to adjust to their new status before the money ran out.

"Your Majesty, you'll be pleased to hear they are coming along well. It seems a good portion of them have gone back to their old jobs, although there's an actual paycheck coming in this time. Many of them were rehired by the families they used to serve. There's been some grumbling from the Andalucians at having another expense, but I think many of those households are too busy now with the day-to-day chores that all the time they used to spend training or fighting has been soaked up."

"That was my hope," said Jack. "This country goes to war far too frequently. I can understand if an outsider invades, like the Swabians, but there's no reason for them to shed their own blood. In the end, they're all Andalucians. I was hoping they'd be too busy now to think about battle."

"It seems to be so, sire. I have no reports of any warfare between the clans. Which is odd to say the least," said Bazu. "Usually there's someone who's fighting someone else."

"Good, then I can leave here and be at peace," said Jack. "The last thing I want to do is leave for Picardy knowing I left some unrest behind me."

"About that, sire," said Bazu, folding up the latest scroll so that he could look at him. "Are you sure you have to go?"

Jack smiled. "Going to miss me, Bazu?"

"In a word, yes," said the vizier. "I don't think there's been a king like you in a long time here, sire. Someone who understands the value of human life, not only with your words but with your actions. It just makes me nervous that you're already leaving us."

"It's not for forever," said Jack. "I'll be back someday. Unfortunately, I'm a Javan naval officer first. I have other duties that I need to attend to." There was a rummaging of the tent again as another person stepped into the room. "Besides, you'll have Masud here to help run things."

Masud gave him a broad smile as he stepped into the room. Bazu bowed to the new Andalucian Regent, but not before Masud bowed to Jack. "Good morning, Your Majesty. I trust you're well?"

Jack took a deep breath. "As well as can be, thank you, Masud. I was just telling Bazu not to worry. The country will be in good hands while I'm gone."

"As much as I can handle," said Masud. "I'm not saying I won't make mistakes, but I'll do my best to govern in your name."

"I know you will," said Jack with a nod. "You've been a great counsel to me since you've been by my side. I know Andalucia will be well-served in your hands. Now come, stay for the rest of the morning report. You should get used to these since you'll be in my place."

For the next twenty minutes, Bazu went over the rest of the details of the country for both men. Jack was pleased to see that Masud asked engaging questions, often coming up with pragmatic solutions to existing problems, as well as seeing some of those problems from an outsider's perspective. It was clear the man had a wealth of life experience, and it only served to remind Jack that he was leaving the country in capable hands.

"That should be just about all of it," said Bazu as he wrapped up the final scroll. "Sire, I think that's going to be your last morning report for quite a while."

Jack turned to look at Masud. "That just means he's your problem now." The elder man chuckled while Bazu didn't look nearly as pleased.

"I'm just teasing, Bazu," said Jack finally. "There isn't a soul in the rest of Andalucia who could be a better vizier than you."

The man actually turned pink at the compliment. "W-why, thank you, sire! I always try to do a good job, but I never really expected that!"

"I had my suspicions about the way Vertulis treated you," said Jack. "Which in all honesty, just serves to confirm all my thoughts about that man. He's better off dead. You're a wise counselor, Bazu. And a good friend as well. I shall miss you while I'm gone."

Bazu looked like he was ready to hug him. "As I will you, sire. The country will miss you. I will miss you. Come back safely when you can."

Jack nodded to him before he embraced the man, patting his back. Bazu responded to the gesture with equal measure, even pulling away with slightly misty eyes which he looked to shield out of embarrassment.

"I should really get back to my own desk," Bazu said finally, gesturing to his partition of the tent. "But thank you, Your Majesty. Safe travels out there."

The vizier gave one final wave before disappearing out of the partition.

"Funny man, that one is," said Jack to Masud once they were alone.

"I rather like him," said the other man. "He's a bit eccentric, but you can tell he enjoys what he does. I can see why he made it this far up the chain."

"I think Vertulis would've probably killed him eventually," said Jack. "He was like a whipped dog when I found him, skittish as can be. Which is a shame considering his talents, but I have a feeling he'll be better off now."

"I'm looking forward to working more with him, sire. Although not so much with you being away."

"Don't say another word," said Jack with a chuckle. "I've heard enough from everyone else that doesn't want me to leave. It does grate on you after hearing it enough times."

"How about an appeal to logic?"

Jack pursed his lips. "You can try, but I'm not making any promises."

"Just hear me out," said Masud with raised hands. "I know you're not from Andalucia, and you have duties towards your home country. With being an officer." Masud gestured to his uniform.

"Correct, but what does that have to do with anything, Masud?"

"All I'm about to say is that we all have duties. I have a duty to my clan, sire. To be a loyal son and a good fighter when they need me, but I also have a duty to my family to protect them. To take care of my wife and my daughters. My duty to my clan came first, but my duty to my family is more important to me even though it came second. Can't it be the same for you?"

"I see where you're going with this," said Jack. "You think my duty to Andalucia is more important because it's an elevated position to the one I have already in Java?"

Masud nodded eagerly. "Yes, sire. Who wouldn't want to be a king over that of an officer? Not to put down your home country, but it's true. Do you have a King of Java as well?"

"An emperor, but that's practically the same thing."

"Exactly, sire. Do you think he'd pick being just about anything else over being an Emperor of Java?"

Jack thought about his words for a moment. He saw the argument that Masud was trying to make, even though the Emperor of Java was a lot more powerful than the King of Andalucia. And he had a lot further reach. Even though Andalucia's warriors were fierce, they were still few in number to what the emperor could produce.

"Let me ask you something, Masud," said Jack, taking another line of approach. "If someone turned against our country, against Andalucia, would you not want me as the king to pursue them and bring them to justice? Is not treason met by death?"

Masud blinked several times before nodding. "It's true. Death is the only suitable punishment for treason."

"Then what would stop my emperor ordering my death for going against my own country?" asked Jack. "Java is much more powerful than Andalucia. That's not a matter of opinion or preference. I've seen both countries, and that's the honest truth. And I wouldn't be able to hide here behind the clans. If the emperor wanted me dead, he'd send legions of men and ships to accomplish that. Look at how much we've accomplished here with just my force of marines. Now imagine legions of them assaulting the shores. We wouldn't last a week."

Masud took a deep sigh. "It seems you've beaten me at my own argument."

Jack chuckled and patted his back. "Believe me, the thought has crossed my mind. Maybe some day when I can retire, I can come live out the rest of my days in Andalucia, but for now, I have to give loyalty to my country. Myfirst country. That's the thing that Andalucians can most readily understand, right? Loyalty to your homeland? It's something I have to give as well."

Masud nodded. "You understand why I bring it up though, right, sire? It just makes me nervous about you being away."

"I can understand that, believe me," said Jack. "But you have the full force to rule in my name. You have theSciavo at your command as well as the loyalty of the clans. If anyone makes trouble for you needlessly, deal with them. If the Swabians attempt to land in the country again, let me know right away. Andalucia is not so far away from Picardy that we can't attempt to head their forces off or cut into their flank."

"Is it your desire to take the war to Swabia eventually?" asked Masud. "Surely they will need to pay for their invasion here?"

Jack thought about that answer for a few moments before he responded. While he would love nothing more than to bring a full-on start to hostilities with the Swabians, especially instead of fighting this cold, undeclared war with them, it would be a mistake at the current time. They were just too strong. Perhaps if he had the full resources of Java at his disposal, he could try, however his encounters with them thus far had only been a shadow of their real strength. He knew that if the Swabians came at him with full force, he might not be able to repel them.

It was also just as likely to spark that war with the annihilation of one of their regiments in the last battle. He didn't think that act would go without retribution either.

"That's a complicated answer, Masud," said Jack finally. "I do think that time will ultimately come although I'm not sure when or how. My country is still fighting a war on the other side of the ocean. We came here to find allies, not to find new enemies. I'm afraid my leadership would look to prevent any further hostilities with the Swabians at least until our own war with the Occitanians is concluded."

"It does seem a bit shortsighted though, sire. You can't make new friends without inheriting their enemies too. I don't think your emperor understands just what that fully entails."

Jack chuckled. "There are many who say that our emperor doesn't understand the majority of things that come across his desk. Yet, it's not my job to question orders. Just to follow them."

"So public obligation aside, what are your true feelings about it as a man?"

"As a man, and a king, I'd love to see the Swabians punished for the pain they've brought to Andalucia. And to Sorella for that matter. And when that time comes, I'd like to be the one leading the charge."

"As will I," added Masud. "If that day actually comes."

"I think it will one day. And we just need to be ready for it. Keep theSciavo trained and ready for action while I'm gone. Make sure the clans still find time for training when they can."

"That might be hard with all the new chores they find themselves doing," said Masud with a displeased expression. "Especially with the slaves now free."

"They can carve some time out of their day to make sure they're still in fighting shape," countered Jack. "I know you may not have wanted to see their freedom, but it was necessary. Andalucia will be a better place now that all men are equal and free."

"You'll find this old warrior hard to convince on that front," admitted Masud. "However, I will keep your ruling and make sure the former slaves stay free. I trust your judgment on this. You've never led me astray."

"And I hope I never will," said Jack with a small smile.

"How could you? You really are theTur'hava, you know? Freeing the slaves changed our society forever. Our first king ushered in the Andalucia that you know right now. We've waited a long time for you to appear, sire. I knew something was different about you when we heard whispers about who you really were, right before we faced you in battle the first time. I suspected it when you met us across the battlefield after that day along the coast. You confirmed it for me when you took the throne. You're theTur'hava. And for that reason, I'll follow you to my last breath."

"You know that I wake up every morning hoping to live up to the person you all believe me to be," admitted Jack. "All of Andalucia has placed so much faith in me. My biggest fear is letting that faith be for nothing."

"The biggest fear of many of the kings before you was running out of wine or whores," said Masud. "That's how I know you're different."

Jack extended his hand, which the elder man took willingly and clasped tightly. "Please look out after my people and this country," he said, looking in Masud's eyes. "Let me know if you need me."

"I'll do my best, sire. And come back when you can."

"You have my promise that I will."

Jack only released his hand a moment later, fully sharing in his understanding with the elder warrior. Masud bowed one last time before he left his partition, offering only the faintest of goodbyes before departing. Jack would miss all of them—the vizier, the regent, the deputies, the chiefs, and the warriors. He hadn't expected Andalucia to be the source of so much pain upon leaving, but here he was.

The country had surprised him. Somewhere in the time when they first landed in Methusa, they had endeared themselves to his heart. Jack scoffed lightly at the thought. Who would have imagined such a thing after the first battle with theMuthada?

In a way, it paralleled the experience in Sorella as well. Finding himself in the middle of a war upon entry, he had to think quickly to prevent his force from taking a blow from which they couldn't recover. However, by the time they left Sorella, the island was at peace and set to rebuild. Could Andalucia now do the same thing?

Was this going to be a pattern with every new country they visited in the Fourth Vector?

It was those questions that Jack pondered while they readied to depart. Around midmorning, the great tent of the king emptied out as all the Javans prepared to travel the short distance into Methusa to board their ships. Out in the distance, just off the coast, Jack could see the sparkling hulls of his task force at anchor, ready to receive them and to continue on their mission. It was a bittersweet feeling to leave Andalucia, especially with all they've accomplished.

"Having second thoughts?" asked Vera as the group of Javans made their way to the main docks of the city. "You look like you're deep in thought."

Jack shook his head. "Not second thoughts, no. Just feeling a bit melancholy at having to leave this land. We're leaving now a lot differently than how we arrived."

Vera smiled. "I'll say. I can't say a tiny part of me isn't relieved we're leaving. Even though I appreciate what you've done here more than others, I can't say part of me isn't secretly thrilled to be leaving this land."

"Those memories are hard to ignore?" asked Jack.

Vera nodded quietly.

"Hopefully with what we've done, no one will have to know that kind of pain here again. No one will have to repeat your experience."

She turned to look at him, beaming with a smile. "That's my hope too."

As the Javans made it into town, Jack gave the word for all the marines to reboard the ships. That took the longest amount of time, moving over a regiment's worth of men back out to sea but he would need them with him in the time ahead. A part of him wanted to leave some of them, perhaps even a battalion in Andalucia, but with his force as small as it was, he felt better about having all the firepower at his disposal moving forward.

It did require some creativity in getting the men lodged on the ships. TheDestiny was the only ship built with the extra quarters to take large forces of marines, however her extra space capped out at two battalions. For that reason, Jack put Greg's original battalion, and one of the others from the 57th on theDestiny, while he spread out the remaining three battalions so that one lodged in each of the other remaining cruisers.

Quarters were tight, especially on theValiant which had the least space, but it would have to do for now. He was sure the men had a worse time crossing over to him initially when they were all crammed on the three other cruisers without theDestiny to take up space. Once the marines were loaded, one last launch boat was sent for Jack, Greg, Abigail, Kat, and Vera. It met them on the docks while hisSciavo accompanied them to the very point where their feet last left the soil of Andalucia.

Behind theSciavo, Bazu and Masud could be seen watching, offering silent waves as the launch boat started to push away from the dock. Jack waved in return, and soon the city started to recede into the distance behind him. Once they reached the ships, all that could be seen was the general outline of the former slave city, its white walls standing out in deep contrast to the light brown sand around it.

I'm leaving it better than how I found it. At least, that's my hope, thought Jack as they reached theDestiny. They climbed up into the ship as so many sailors gathered around to greet his return. It had felt like a small eternity since he'd last stepped foot on the heavy cruiser, and he was relieved to see all those familiar faces around him once more.

"Just like being home again," said Abigail as she reached out to squeeze his hand. Jack smiled and rested his other hand against the metal railing. It did feel good to be back to his home.

"Welcome back, Commodore," yelled one of the sailors nearby. He offered Jack a small wave and an enthusiastic grin. It was a face that he recognized before.

"Thank you, Petty Officer Warren," said Jack with a smile. "It's good to be back. Now, let's get going to Picardy."

*****

Admiral Percival Bancroft sat at his desk in the imperial palace wearing a broad grin. In his hand was the very dispatch he'd been waiting for months. He was sure he probably presented a nearly ludicrous sight by the other officers of the Admiralty, grinning like an idiot in the middle of the floor, but at that moment, he couldn't care less.

There was much to be happy about right now, and in times like these, he had to celebrate when he still could.